The Milton

The Milton sits just outside Pitlochry as a proper piece of Pictish history - Roman fortlet remains that most tourists heading to the nearby holiday parks completely miss. What you get is a small archaeological site with defensive earthworks and ditches where the Romans planted a garrison around AD 80, watching over the Tay Valley like a hawk.

It's not dramatic. There's no grand stonework or visitor centre. You're looking at raised ground, grassed-over ramparts, and the faint outline of what soldiers built nearly two millennia ago. But that's exactly why it works. The site feels unmanicured, almost private, and standing there you can actually picture the strategic thinking - controlling movement through the highlands from this modest perch.

Walkers get the most from The Milton. The approach involves a decent walk through countryside, and the views back towards Pitlochry and the surrounding hills make the journey worthwhile even if you're not mad about Roman forts. History types will find it genuinely interesting precisely because it hasn't been overloaded with interpretation boards. Kids will likely manage about thirty minutes before wanting to move on - the remains are subtle enough that they need a bit of imagination to engage with.

If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley or Glengoulandie Camping just down the road, this makes an excellent half-morning excursion. Access appears to be free and unrestricted. Go on a clear day when the light picks out the earthworks properly - grey drizzle turns it into murky bumps in the grass.